Page 58 of A Duke But No Gentleman
Tristan pushed back the hood, and his aunt gasped when she noticed the bruises on Imogene’s face.
“Forgive our intrusion, Lady Ludsthorpe,” Imogene said, politely ignoring the older woman’s alarm.“It was not our intention to interrupt your evening, but Tristan insisted on bringing me here.”
He had to give his aunt credit.She quickly recovered from her shock at Imogene’s appearance and took charge of the situation.“He was wise to bring you here,” she said sincerely.“Tristan, why don’t you carry Lady Imogene up to the drawing room?She can have some tea while her bedchamber is being prepared.”
While his aunt slipped away to make her excuses to her family on why she was not joining them, Tristan carried Imogene upstairs and placed her on the sofa.
“You do not have to coddle me like a child,” she said crossly.“What your aunt must think of me!”
At the moment, the countess probably believed the worst of him, but he wisely held his tongue.“I like coddling you, and there is nothing about you that gives me the impression that you are a child.”He absently bent down to kiss her on the cheek, but she shied away from him.
Tristan silently cursed his carelessness.“Do not fret about my aunt.She is a generous soul, and she will open her house to you until you are ready to summon your mother and father.”
The butler entered the drawing room with a heavily laden tray.
“Ah, there’s your tea.It will warm you during my absence.”
“Where are you going?”she demanded as she started to rise from her seat.
“Sit and drink your tea.I intend to speak to my aunt.Our disheveled appearance on her doorstep requires an explanation,” he said, gently coaxing her back onto the cushion.“I will return shortly.”
As he suspected, his aunt was waiting for him as he exited the drawing room.He shut the door so their conversation could not be overheard by the lady within.
“Thank you for taking in Imogene,” Tristan said, genuinely grateful to his aunt.“I wanted to take her directly home, but the notion of her parents seeing her current state was too upsetting.It seemed prudent to keep her calm.”
His aunt jabbed her finger into his chest.“Are you responsible for that poor girl’s condition?She might be covered in one of my sister’s old cloaks, but I noticed she has dried blood on her dress.”
“So naturally you assume I am to blame,” he snarled, more than happy to give his anger a target.“Do you take me for a fool?If I was the one responsible for ravishing her, why would I bring her tomyfamily?”
“Ravished?”his aunt said, clutching her necklace in distress.“Are you certain?”
“Imogene was tricked and has been brutally mistreated.I have yet to get the entire tale out of her, but I have heard enough to understand that she needs more than a tender heart.”
“I’ll send a footman for a physician.”
“I have already given my coachman the task.It is someone I trust.His hands are steady, and he will be discreet.I need your assistance in convincing Imogene to accept his help.”
“This is a travesty.Do you know who hurt her?”
“It was Norgrave.”
The countess swayed, and Tristan worried that she might faint.“Norgrave.Your friend is the one responsible?I cannot believe it.”
“There is no doubt that Norgrave lured Imogene to my mother’s house, so he could—so he could—” He swallowed the rest of his words, unable to speak the thought out loud.
“Tristan, Lady Imogene’s mother and father must be told.You cannot keep this from them.”
“I am aware of that, madam,” he said, in clipped tones.
“As for the marquess…”—his aunt clasped and unclasped her hands—“he must be brought in front of the magistrate for his crimes.I can send a servant—”
“No.”He stepped in front of her to block her from heading downstairs.“I will deal with Norgrave.”
“I understand how you must feel.After all, he is your friend.”
“He was my friend,” Tristan said coldly.“Will you look after her during my absence?”
“Nephew, does the woman sitting in my drawing room know you are planning to kill her attacker?”
